About WFS WFS is the world’s leading developer of through-water and through-ground electromagnetic communications and sensing products. With over 50 patent applications filed in Europe and the US, our revolutionary products deliver cost savings and new capabilities to the Oil & Gas, Environmental & Industrial, and Homeland Security & Defence industries. Founded in 2003, WFS launched the world’s first commercially available underwater Radio Modem, Seatext in 2006. The same year, the company was announced as the Overall Winner of the UK MoD’s top innovation award. WFS’s Broadband Data Link, Seatooth, was launched in January 2007 and was followed later that year by a launch of the world’s first dual technology Radio Acoustic Modem, RAM-300. WFS’s disruptive technology is revolutionising control and communications in underwater and underground environments. Underwater Radio Frequency (RF) technology has the distinct advantage that it will operate in adverse water conditions, is unaffected by acoustic noise, is free from multipathing problems and that the Doppler effects are minimal. Critically, WFS’s products support data transmission across the water/air and ground/air boundaries, penetrating the surf zone, ice, harbour walls, and hitherto impenetrable materials.
Pioneering research into underwater RF technology • 50 patent applications in UK & US • First product launched Sept 06 - world’s first underwater RF modem • DTI technology programme funding • Top UK MoD innovation award 2006/07 • Privately owned with offices in Livingston, Scotland and in Houston and Baltimore in the US. • Customers in: - Offshore Oil & Gas - Homeland Security & Defence - Environmental Monitoring - Contract Research Organisations
WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Tel: (805) 798 0277
Chris@RoperResources.com
Introduction Underwater wireless communications links have up till now almost exclusively been implemented using acoustic systems. Optical links have proved impractical for many applications for a variety of reasons. Although underwater radio links were experimentally evaluated in the pioneering days of radio they were unable to meet the requirements of the time. In light of modern operational requirements and the ready availability of digital communications technology it is now time to re-evaluate the role of electromagnetic signals in the underwater environment.
WFS development work WFS has been exploring this area of technology for over four years in collaboration with a number of government bodies, including the National Physics Laboratory, several universities and industrial partners. This area has been largely neglected in the digital communications era and WFS has filed 50 related international patent applications covering communications, navigation and sensing. WFS has a background in commercial and military terrestrial radio technology. Experimental work began in 2004 and has progressed from fundamental propagation experiments through data transmission demonstrations to the point of launching our first communications products in the 3rd quarter of 2006. WFS is currently developing three product ranges of underwater telemetry links:
Seatext - Medium range communications system In 2006 WFS launched the Seatext, the world’s first commercial through-water and through-ground radio modem. This system has been designed to transmit signals of up to 100 bps over 30m in sea water, with range dependent on the application and data rate.
Seatext through-water and through-ground radio modem
WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Tel: (805) 798 0277
Chris@RoperResources.com
Environmental Monitoring Application
This product has been targeted at a variety of applications such as environmental monitoring, AUV real time control, data harvesting from underwater sensors and diver communications. Electromagnetic communication links are particularly suited to shallow water applications where difficult conditions apply or where non-obtrusive solutions are required such as in rivers, estuarine waters, in harbours or around industrial facilities on the coast or off shore. Signals pass through ice with low attenuation so all year data collection is possible even when surface water is frozen.
Seatooth - Short Range, Broadband Electromagnetic Communications WFS’ Broadband Data Link, Seatooth, was launched in January 2007, a broadband electromagnetic telemetry link aimed at customers who require transfer of large amounts of data (100 kbps) over short distances (up to10 m) under water. This has been designed to support the rapid harvesting of data from underwater sensors by UUVs without the need for hard docking and at very high Joules per bit efficiency. In practice each deployment has unique requirements. While the Seatooth and Seatext platforms provide the bulk of the system functionality each solution has to uniquely balance parameters such as antenna design; transmit power; duty cycle; data bandwidth; antenna size; and local noise sources in order to achieve an optimised solution for the specific application. WFS provide applications engineering support to ensure a good match of system to each application. .
Broadband Telemetry for Data Harvesting WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Tel: (805) 798 0277
Chris@RoperResources.com
RAM300 - Dual Mode Radio-Acoustic Modem The through-water and through-ground Radio Acoustic Modem (RAM300) is a 100 bps wireless data communications modem. Through use of hybrid acoustic and Radio Frequency (RF) technology, the RAM300 provides improved quality of service compared to a conventional acoustic modem by extending its capability. In Radio Modem Mode the system operates in difficult acoustic conditions, such as high ambient acoustic noise, in aerated water, congested conditions, and through water/air boundary and ice. In Acoustic Modem Mode the system offers extended range in deep water. Applications include networking and data gathering, AUV docking with submarines, surface vessels, and seabed stations.
Networking and data gathering
Conclusion Acoustic underwater communications is a maturing field where fundamental operational limitations are well understood. Communications technology and operational requirements have radically changed since underwater electromagnetism was first evaluated. It is time to re-evaluate the role of underwater electromagnetic signalling in the digital era. WFS has pioneered commercial developments in this area and have launched the world’s first underwater RF communications product with unique capabilities. We believe the impact of this technology will prove disruptive in a broad range of industries including defence, offshore oil & gas and environmental monitoring.
WFS 3 Michaelson Square Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7DP United Kingdom Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Tel: +44 (0) 845 862 6600 Fax: +44 (0) 845 862 6601 Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Tel: (805) 798 0277
Chris@RoperResources.com
Seatext® World leaders in throughwater & throughground wireless communications technology
OIL & GAS
Seatext® ThroughWater and ThroughGround Radio Modem :
Meeting the challenges of wireless communication Delivering reliable, wireless throughwater & throughground communications is a major challenge. Acoustic modems and floating repeater buoys are deployed widely for throughwater communications, but they have drawbacks in certain operational scenarios. Floating buoys are not covert and acoustic modems do not work well in shallow, turbid or noisy waters. WFS understands the challenges that operators face when designing and specifying systems for an operational scenario. The leading edge technology being developed by WFS provides substantial operational and costeffective solutions to the Oil & Gas community.
Key Features & Benefits: Crosses water / air interface Underwater c ommunic ations from a variety of platforms, e.g. AUVs, remote sensors and inst r ument at ion. E nables seamless contact with assets on and above the surface. Seatext® can also be used to set up un derwater communication net works, of particular use in littoral or harbour waters. Line of sight is not required and the signal will pass through harbour walls.
Communicates through ground Seatext® will pass through concrete, rock, mud, earth and into the air to provide secure communications. Applications include emergency communications in underground public transport networks, and extending Network Extended Capability into underground sensors.
Effective in complex environments Unlike acoustic systems, WFS’s radio technology is unaffected by acoustic noise, turbidity, mud or ice and will operate in shallow water as well as congested environments such as harbours, estuaries and waterways. In addition Seatext® operates with out interfering with acoustic sensors or sonar and can be used without the illeffects to aquatic life often attributed to acoustic technology.
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Tel: (805) 798 0277
ThroughWater & ThroughGround Radio Modem : Seatext®
Seatext® is the world’s first commercial throughwater and throughground radio communication system. Designed to interface with sensors and control units, Seatext® can be readily tailored to numerous applications including through water and through ground data transmission, underwater networking, AUV homing, underwater to UAV communications and diver communications.
Chris@RoperResources.com
S Seatext eatextt® Seatex
Diagram of Seatext® modem, set up to transmit from water to shore. The modem can be easily integrated with third party systems, in this example connecting to a laptop, GSM modem and Sensor.
Additional Features
Benefits
Transceiver
• Two way communications • Can be interfaced to text entry terminal for comms link
Immunity to thermal layers
• High tolerance of water conditions
Fast propagation
• Reduction in Doppler shift
Can be connected in a network
• Extended coverage
Global access
• GSM option
Technical Specification
Performance Data rate = 100 bits/sec half duplex Multiplexing – multiple units uniquely addressable Modems can be connected in a network Antenna Magnetic coupled loop Options available for extended range Data RS 232 data interface
Physical (typical) Modem housing 498mm x 143mm Antenna – application dependent Power Requirements 24V external power or battery pack to specific application 3W receiving / 12W transmitting Environmental 50m housing (3000m available on request) Temp. operating 10 to + 35ºC
WFS
WFS Subsea Inc Tel: +1 4103565131 Mob: +1 4107901823 Email: chet@wirelessfibre.co.uk
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Unit 3A Michaelson Square Livingston EH54 7DP UK Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6600 Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk
Tel: (805) 798 0277
ThroughWater & ThroughGround Radio Modem: Seatext®
OIL & IL & GAS AS O OIL & G GA S
RJM Seatext O&G May 2009 Chris@RoperResources.com
Seatooth OIL & GAS
World leaders in throughwater & throughground wireless communications technology
Seatooth® Seatooth® uses the latest electromagnetic digital technology to enable high data rate transmission over a short range, through water and ground. Applications include high speed data transfer between Seatooth for mounting in AUV underwater sensors and unmanned underwater vehicles (ROVs and AUVs).
Target Applications: • • •
UUV to remote sensors UUV/ROV/AUV comms UUV to host platform
AUV docking solutions Data collection Wellhead networking
• • •
High speed data transfer
Receiving video at blowout
• •
Wireless connectors Test tank communication
Test tank instrumentation
Wireless strain monitor
AUV docking for data & power transfer
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Throughice comms
Tel: (805) 798 0277
Data box on riser
Wireless connector
Throughwater & throughground broadband data link : Seatooth
Throughwater and throughground broadband data link
Chris@RoperResources.com
Seatooth OIL & GAS
Benefits
Crosses water/air interface
Removes need for cable to shore Removes need for repeater buoy Unobtrusive, covert, no navigation hazard
High data transfer rate
Reduced operating time Reduced operating costs Fast access to data
Connector replacement
No connector mate at depth or complex vehicle docking
Transceiver
Two way communications
Shorter download times
Reduced power consumption
Immunity to acoustic noise
Can operate in littoral or near offshore facilities / vessels generating acoustic noise
Immunity to particulates
Can operate in turbid water
Immunity to multipathing
Can operate in shallow water or congested environments such as harbours/estuaries
No effect on acoustic transmission
No interference with or harm to aquatic life No interference with acoustic sensors or sonars
Technical Specification Performance System Range Bit rate
Up to 10m. Up to 100 kbits/sec
Antenna Type Dimensions
Magnetic coupled loop Variable to suit application
Data Interface
Transparent Ethernet Compatible with TCP/IP & UDP packets
Power Requirements Each unit Transmitting 24Vdc, 660mA Receiving 24Vdc, 190mA Physical Housing
Application specific
Environmental Temp. operating 10 to + 35ºC Temp. storage 20 to + 50ºC
WFS
WFS Subsea Inc Tel: +1 4103565131 Mob: +1 4107901823 Email: chet@wirelessfibre.co.uk
Roper Resources Ltd / Symphotic Tii Corporation
Unit 3A Michaelson Square Livingston EH54 7DP UK Tel: +44 (0)845 862 6600 Web: www.wirelessfibre.co.uk Email: info@wirelessfibre.co.uk
Tel: (805) 798 0277
Throughwater & throughground broadband data link : Seatooth
Features
RJM Seatooth O&G May 2009 Chris@RoperResources.com